Judges 16: Lessons from Samson on Spiritual Blindness

Introduction: God appointed Samson to deliver the Jews from the Philistines (Jdgs. 13:5). Samson knew of his special calling and he had even seen God confirm his calling through the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, like many believers empowered with the Spirit, Samson was uninterested in using his gifts to serve God. Instead, like many believers, he was only interested in the things of the flesh. He remained driven only by his desire for foreign women. He walked by sight and not by faith. His failure to control the lusts of his flesh and his failure to follow God made him spiritually blind. Eventually, this caused him to become captured, blinded, and humiliated. Only after Samson lost his sight did he regain his strength by crying out to God. From his failures in Judges 16, God reveals seven lessons about the dangers of walking by sight.

First, from Samson’s decision to sleep with a Philistine prostitute after God had just delivered him from 1,000 enemy troops, He reveals that a person who walks by sight is governed by the desires of the flesh. Second, from Samson’s misuse of God’s gifts to show off before the Jews by carrying the Philistine gates 40 miles to the Jewish city of Hebron, He reveals a person who walks by sight seeks after only personal glory. Third, from Delilah’s entrapment and manipulation of Samson, He reveals that a person who walks by sight will be deceived by Satan and the things of the world. Fourth, from Samson’s participation in Delilah’s first three attempts to entrap him, He reveals that a person who walks by sight risks being placed into the bondage of the things of the world and Satan. Fifth, from Samson’s capitulation to Delilah’s ongoing deceit by revealing the last unbroken vow that made him a Nazarite (his uncut hair), He reveals that those who walk by sight will lose what makes them distinctive and holy in God’s eyes. This in turn will cause them to become spiritually unclean and without the full power of the Holy Spirit. Sixth, from Samson’s capture, his imprisonment, and his being blinded, He reveals that when you walk by sight you will become spiritually blinded. You will also stand outside His Covenant where He can protect you. Finally, from Samson’s cry to God after losing his power and sight, He reveals that a person must lose that which he or she depends upon to find God’s strength.

1. A Person Who Walks By Sight is Governed by the Desires of the Flesh. Judges 16:1.

Samson gives into the lusts of his flesh1

2. A Person Who Walks By Sight Uses God’s Gifts for Personal Glory. Judges. 16:2-3.

3. A Person Who Walks By Sight Will Be Deceived By Satan. Judges 16:4-9.

4. A Person Who Walks By Sight Plays With Potential Bondage. Judges 16:10-14.

5. A Person Who Walks By Sight Becomes Unclean Before God. Judges 16:15-18.

6. A Person Who Walks by Sight Walks Outside God’s Protection. Judges 16:19-24.

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669) Samson and Delilah (1630)2

Rembrandt Harmensz van Rijn (1606-1669) The Blinding of Samson (1636)3

7. To Find Your Sight You Must Lose It. Judges 16:25-31.

Jan Havicksz Steen (1626-1679) The Mocking of Samson (1670)

Samson uses his restored strength to kill the Philistines5